Acoustic device



May 13,- 1930. I M. KAPLICK ACOUSTIC DIEVICE Filed July 14, 1928 Z17 ,j INVENTOR Nax Kap/ICk 4 ATTORNEY Patented May 13, 1930 UNITED STATES MAX KAZPLICK, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

ACOUSTIC DEVICE Application filed July 14,

This invention relates to acoustical devices and has for its primary object the provision of a device for use by singers or other persons to permit the user to receive aurally the sounds produced in singing or talking so that the user will hear his own voice in a manner corresponding closely to that in which other persons hear the rendition of vocal pieces.

The device is particularly adapted to eliminate the direct transmission of sounds from the mouth to the ear of the user, and so the user can modify the quality of the tones or diction which he produces, in such a way as to render the same in the manner most desirable for audition.

The above, and other, objects of the invention are illustrated and described fully in the accompanying drawings and specification and are pointed out in the claim.

In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a view in perspective of a nowpreferred form of acoustic device in which my improvements have been embodied.

Fig. 2 illustrates in detail parts of the device ready for assembly.

Figs. 3 and 4 are respectively views in front elevation and vertical section of a modified form of structure embodying the invention.

In the now-preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, the parts designated by the reference characters 1 and 2 respectively are shields which may be of any suitable material and shape, and one convenient form of construction is shown, comprising flat pieces of wood or other material adapted to reflect sound, but not to transmit the same.

These shields are of such shape as to permit them to be held comfortably against the head of a singer or speaker, one at each side, in front of the ears respectively, and when so held during singing or speaking by the user,

they prevent the sound waves issued by the mouth of the user from reaching his ears directly, so that his ears only receive the sound waves which are reflected from the walls of the room, and which finally come back to the ears of the user at the rear of the shields 1 and 1928.- Serial No. 292,804.

2 which aid in directing such reflected waves into the ears.

The shields may have front surfaces of sound-absorbing material such as felt, soft rubber or fabric, indicated by the black line 3, while the reverse surface 4 may be of the natural wood, metal, hard rubber or other suitable sound reflecting material. It is, however, not essential to provide such a soundabsorbing surface on the front faces, if the sound waves are prevented from reaching the ears directly from the mouth.

The edges 5 and 6 are preferably of a curved contour adapted to fit the head closely, and may desirably be cushioned with a soft substance, such as felt or rubber, both to make a tight fit with the head of the user, and to prevent direct transmission of sound to the bones of the head.

Any suitable means may be provided to permit the shields to be held to the users head in properly assembled relation, either manually or by a head-piece, and in Figs. 1 and 2 the shields shown are provided with pivots 7 adapted to fit in holes 8 of arms 9 which are attached to a handle 10 by a pivot-screw 11, permitting adjustment of the shields to the users head by lateral swinging movements of the arms relatively to each other.

In using this form of the device the user grasps the handle 10 with his hand and holds the device before him, adjusting the arms 9 until the portions 5 and 6 are fitted against the sides of his head in front of the ears.

In the form shown in Figs. 3 and 4 shields 1 and 2 which may be similar in general structure to those already described, and in which the parts are similarly designated, are provided with a head-piece 12 of metal, like that used by telephone operators, being connected to the shields by lugs 13 and pivots 14 which permit a desirable degree of adjustment, this form of the device leaving the hands of the user free.

Other embodiments of the invention may be made without departing from the essential principle of the device, which is to prevent the sound waves emitted by the users mouth from reaching his ears directly.

Thus I enable a singer or speaker to receive the sound of his own voice substantially in the manner that it reaches the ears of his hearers, largely by reflection from the walls of the auditorlum, or indirectly through the air, and in practising the invention it is found that the device constitutes a serviceable means to aid modulation of the voice sons to render vocal niec'ts of desired tone and quality.

I claim:

An acoustic device for the purpose set forth, comprising a plurality of shields adapted respectively to fit the head of the wearer, one adjacent to each ear, and means comprising adjustable arms having a pivotal connection, to hold said shields in assembled relation and a handle connected with said arms near said pivot, and by which said assembled shields may be supported.

In witness whereof, Ihave signed this. spec- MAX KAPLICK.

.ification. 

